Adjustable clipper head



March 4, 1969 J. F. WAHLY 3,430,342

ADJUSTABLE CLIPPER HEAD Filed March 29, 1967 Sheet of 2 March 4, 1969 3 J. F. WAHL 3,430,342

ADJUSTABLE CLIPPER HEAD Filed March 29, 1967 United States Patent Ofifice 3,430,342 Patented Mar. 4, 1969 4 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE An adjustable head for a hair clipper wherein the stationary comb blade of the clipper may be moved forwardly and rearwardly with respect to the movable cutter blade so that the length of hair cut by the clipper may be varied with precision. The adjustable head includes a generally rectangular stationary frame member having a plurality of bearing and guiding surfaces, and an irregular member of substantial length having cooperating bearing and guiding surfaces adapted to slide back and forth within the frame member. The stationary comb blade is mounted on the irregular member, and a lever means is provided for imparting forward and rearward movement to the irregular member and thus to the associated clipper blade.

Background of the invention This invention relates to an adjustable clipper head which provides relative forward and rearward movement between cutter and comb clipper blades having tapered teeth, whereby the length of hair remaining after cutting may be varied from close, to medium, to long. The invention is an improvement over the constructions shown in US. Pat. Nos, 3,093,901, 3,031,758 and 2,795,967, all of which are owned by the assignee of this application. The invention is most closely related to the first of the above mentioned patents.

The construction disclosed in aforesaid Patent No. 3,093,901 includes two main elements generally com parable to counterpart elements forming parts of the present invention. However, the prior construction possessed a lack of stability and ruggedness, and exhibited tendencies toward failure to maintain the stationary comb blade in proper relation with the movable cutter blade and toward undue wear and distortion. The construction embodying the present invention overcomes these shortcomings, and provides an adjustable support for the comb blade which is stable, rugged in character and wear resistant, and travels through its range of adjustment without tendency to bind or become misaligned.

Summary of the invention The invention is applicable to a hair clipper having a body, a movable cutter blade and a stationary comb blade, both blades having longitudinally tapered teeth. The adjustable clipper head includes a generally rectangular frame member secured to the forward end of the clipper body. The side portions of the frame member have vertically disposed elongated guiding surfaces, and upwardly facing guiding and bearing surfaces intermediate the ends. These surfaces in part extend into the region directly above the movable cutter blade. The rear portion of a frame member has a lower surface for guiding and bearing purposes.

The invention also includes an irregular member of substantial length adapted to slide forwardly and rearwardly within the frame member. The stationary comb blade is mounted on this irregular member in effective relation with the movable cutter blade, and the cut length of the hair is varied by moving the irregular member and associated comb blade forwardly and rearwardly.

The irregular member at its sides engages the side portions of the frame member, the relationship there established serving to position and guide the movement of the irregular member with precision throughout its range of adjustment. The ratio of the width of the irregular member to the length of the side bearing surface thereof is less than 2:1; a ratio of greater than 2:1 is not satisfactory, it has been found.

The irregular member has downwardly facing surfaces engaging the upwardly facing surfaces of the frame member side portions, and an upwardly facing rear portion engaging the lower surface of the frame member rear portion. These cooperating bearing surfaces properly position the irregular member with respect to the frame member, insure that the position is maintained throughout the range of adjustment, and provide lower bearing loadings per unit area, thus improving the ruggedness and dimensional stability of the frame member.

Finally, means are provided for moving the irregular member forwardly and rearwardly within the frame member, suitable stops being provided to limit the travel path of the irregular member.

Brief description of the drawing FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of the forward end of a hair clipper provided with an adjustable clipper head embodying the invention.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view on irregular line 2-2 of FIG. 1, internal parts of the clipper not related to the invention being omitted for clarity. This figure essentially is a bottom view of the frame member of the invention.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view on line 3-3 of FIG. 2 showing further details of the frame member.

FIG. 4 is a bottom view of the irregular member of the invention.

FIG. 5 is an end view of the member shown in FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 is a sectional view on line 66 of FIG. 4.

FIG. 7 is a bottom view showing an assembly of the frame and irregular members.

FIG. 8 is a side elevational view, partly in section, showing the assembly of the frame and irregular members.

Description of the preferred embodiment Referring to the drawings, the fragmentary clipper shown in FIG. 1 is designated 10. It has a body -11 which, in the form shown, includes a case 12 and a detachable lid 13.

Clipper 10, as is conventional, includes a reciprocating cutter blade 15 and a stationary comb blade 16, the blades respectively having tapered cutting teeth generally shown at 18 and 19.

The adjustable clipper head embodying the invention is generally designated 20. It includes an external actuating lever 21 adapted to rotate a shaft 22 (FIGS. 2 and 7) which in turn provides the blade adjustment contemplated by the invention.

One main element of the adjustable clipper head embodying the invention is generally rectangular frame member 25, best shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. Frame member 25, preferably made of resilient plastic material, is secured to the forward end of clipper body 11 by suitable means such as countersunk rear screw 26, and a pair of forward screws (not shown) extending through forward bosses 28 and 29 of the frame member.

Frame member includes side portions 30 and 31, a transverse forward portion 32 and a transverse rearward portion 33, the latter having substantial longitudinal length compared with the former. The inside vertical walls of side portions 30 and 31 constitute elongated guiding surfaces, as will be seen.

Each frame member side portion, for example side portion 31, as shown in FIG. 3, has an upwardly facing first surface 35 intermediate the ends of the side portion and extending into the region above movable cutter blade 15, and an upwardly facing second surface 36 extending rearwardly from the first surface at a lower level than the first surface. The upwardly facing designation, of course, refers to the orientation shown in FIG. 3.

Transverse rearward portion 33 of frame member 25 has lower surface 38 (FIG. 3) which, as shown, is at a level intermediate the levels of first and second surfaces 35 and 36. Lower surface 38 and the surfaces 35 and 36 cooperate to position, guide, and maintain proper alignment of the cooperating irregular member which next will be described.

Referring to FIGS. 46, irregular member, preferably made of metallic material, is generally designated 40. It interfits within resilient frame member 25, carries stationary comb blade 16, and is adapted to slide forwardly and rearwardly within the frame member.

Irregular member 40, as best shown in FIG. 5, has vertical side surfaces 41 and 42 at different levels in one plane and a vertical side surface 43 in another plane which at each side of irregular member 40 engage cooperating inwardly facing vertical surfaces of side portions 3031 of frame member 25. It will be noted that irregular member 40 along its sides has substantial length, and the relationship between the respective side surfaces of member 40 and cooperating frame member 25 is such that member 40 is guided properly within the frame member free of any tendency to bind. The Width of irregular member 40 to the length along the sides thereof has a ratio of less than 2: 1.

Each side of irregular member 40, as best shown in FIG. 5, has a downwardly facing forward surface 45 and a downwardly facing intermediate surface 46 which respectively engage upwardly facing first and second surfaces 35, 36 (FIG. 3) of the frame member side portions 30 and 31. Also, irregular member 40 has an upwardly facing rear portion 48 (FIGS. 5 and 6) intermediate the levels of surface 45 and surface 46 which engages lower surface 38 (FIGS. 2 and 3) of frame member rear portion 33. The several surfaces of engagement just referred to cooperate in preventing irregular member 40 from tilting on a transverse axis during operation of the clipper and longitudinal movement of the member.

Irregular member 40 also has on its lower surface a pair of cylindrical bosses 50 and 51 which are tapped and threaded to receive bolts 52, one of which is shown in FIG. 1, to secure stationary comb blade 16 to the member. Blade 16, of course, has spaced openings of appropriate side and position to receive bosses 50 and 51.

In the form of the invention shown, irregular member 40 has forwardly extending fingers 55 and 56 (FIGS. 4-6) on the respective sides thereof, the under sides of these fingers constituting portions of the aforesaid down- Wardly facing surfaces 45.

To accommodate fingers 55 and 56, side portions 30 and 31 of frame member 25 are provided with recesses 57 and 58 adjacent forward bosses 28 and 29, as best shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the bottoms of which are on a level with and form a continuation of upwardly facing surfaces 35.

When frame member 25 is mounted on clipper body 11, upper surfaces 60 (FIGS. 5 and 6) of assembled irregular member 40 may engage cooperating surfaces (not shown) on the clipper body, which relationship further cooperates to confine irregular member 40 and prevent tilting on a transverse axis. Somewhat similarly, stationary comb blade 16, which is secured to irregular member 40, has upwardly facing surfaces at its sides which may engage lower surfaces 61 (FIG. 3) of frame member side portions 30 and 31. The line of possible engagement between blade 16 and frame member 25 is designated 62 in FIG. 1.

Means are provided for moving irregular member 40 forwardly and rearwardly within frame member 25, which movement, of course, is communicated to stationary comb blade 16 and provides the desired blade adjustment. As shown, this means is substantially the same as shown in aforesaid Patent No. 3,093,901.

This actuating means includes lever 21 (FIGS. 1, 2 and 7) and associated shaft 22 which rotates in response to the lever. Shaft 22 has a radially extending longitudinal rib 65 (FIGS. 2 and 7) which is received within a transverse recess 66 (FIGS. 4-8) in the upper surface of irregular member 40. With this arrangement, rotary movement of shaft 22 is translated into longitudinal movement of irregular member 40.

In the form of the invention shown, stops are provided to limit the longitudinal movement of irregular member 40 within frame member 25. As shown, each side portion 30 and 31 of frame member 25 has a rearwardly facing shoulder 70 (FIGS. 2 and 3) and a forwardly facing shoulder 71 which are engaged, respectively, by forwardly facing surfaces 72 and rearwardly facing surfaces 73 (FIGS. 4 and 5) of irregular member 40.

It will be seen from the foregoing that irregular member 40, which has substantial longitudinal length at its ends, and frame member 25 are provided with a plurality of bearing and guiding surfaces, both vertical and horizontal, which at all times insure proper relationship between the two members and a freedom from binding or tilting which would interfere with the desired relative movement.

The vertical and horizontal guiding and bearing surfaces have substantial area and length, and extend into the region above the movable cutter blade 16. This provides less loading per unit area and thus reduced wear, and effectively resists the tendency of the irregular member to tilt on its transverse axis (due to bias of movable cutter blade or action of actuator) or twist on a vertical axis (due to friction between blades).

From the above description it is thought that the construction and advantages of this invention will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art. Various changes in detail may be made without departing from the spirit or losing the advantages of the invention.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new and desired to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In a hair clipper having a body, a movable cutter blade and a stationary comb blade, an adjustable clipper head for said blades, comprising:

a generally rectangular frame member secured to the forward end of said body, the side portions of said frame member having vertical and horizontal guiding and bearing surfaces intermediate the ends and extending into the region above said movable cutter blade;

an irregular member adapted to slide forwardly and rearwardly within said frame member, said stationary blade mounted on said irregular member in effective relation with said movable blade to vary the length of cut hair, said irregular member at its sides engaging said vertical guiding and bearing surfaces of said frame member side portions and having horizontal surfaces engaging said horizontal guiding and bearing surfaces of said frame member side portions, the ratio of the width of said irregular member 5 6 to the length of its engaging sides being less than 4. The combination of claim 1 wherein said rectangu- 2:1; and lar frame member is formed of plastic material of low means for moving said irregular member forwardly friction characteristic and said irregular member is formed and rearwardly. of metallic material. 2. The combination of claim 1 wherein said irregular member at each side has a forwardly extending finger en- 5 References Cited gaging said vertical and horizontal guiding and bearing UNITED STATES PATENTS surfaces of said frame member in the region above said 1,745,997 2/ 1930 K k 30 201 m le cutter bla 2,869,234 1/1959 Andis 30 201 3. The combination of claim 1 with the addition of 10 3,031,753 5 19 2 hl 30. 201 spaced forwardly and rearwardly facing shoulders on said 3,093,9 1 19 3 w h 30 201 side portions of said frame member constituting stops limiting the travel path of said irregular member, and co- LESTER SWINGLE Pnmary Exammer operating shoulders on said irregular member. I. C. PETERS, Assistant Examiner. 

